A South Korean church group on Thursday indicated their willingness to show more tolerance of homosexuality, seen as the first such move of a major Protestant organization in the country. 

“Korean society and churches have been treating homosexuality with hatred, but we will now open a forum to discuss the issue and reflect (on our views),” the National Council of Churches in Korea said in a press conference.

The group plans to hold debate sessions on the issue and hear testimonies from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community to reflect on Korean churches’ hostile attitudes toward sexual minorities. It also published a book, titled “In the Face of Our Differences ― Church, Gay and Lesbian Christians.”

The move, however, is expected to draw the ire of other church groups that are vocally opposed to homosexuality, viewing it as a sin. 

“We cannot judge the NCCK’s decision, but as Christians, our organization wants to make clear that we are against homosexuality,” Lee Byung-dae, secretary-general of the Korean Association of Church Communication, told The Korea Herald. 

“Through the Bible, Jesus taught us that homosexuality is a sin and it goes against the social, ethical values we uphold.”

In contrast, Catholic and Buddhist organizations have been relatively more accepting of the LGBT community and have opposed discrimination against them.

By Ock Hyun-ju (laeticia.ock@heraldcorp.com)